Ward named NEC Rookie of the Week for third time

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University baseball redshirt freshman Ryan Ward (Millbury, Mass.) has been named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week for the third time this year.

Ward did not strike out while extending his hit streak to 10 games and his on-base streak to 20 games last week. Five of his eight hits went for extra bases and he reached base safely at least three times and scored two runs in each of the Bulldogs' three wins.

Over four games, he hit .471 (8-for-17) with two walks, two home runs, two triples, one double, three RBI and six runs scored. His two-run homer broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning of a mid-week victory over Ivy League member Brown. After going 1-for-4 in a series-opening defeat to the Mount, Ward bounced back by tripling and walking twice in a 9-2 win. The redshirt freshman enjoyed a three-hit performance in the rubber game. He led off the bottom of the first inning by launching a long ball over the right-field wall. Ward proceeded to triple in the sixth before adding a lead-off single in the eighth frame of the 9-3 triumph.

Ward currently is hitting .382 with 39 hits, six doubles, four triples, four home runs, 20 RBI and 17 runs scored as Bryant's primary leadoff hitter. He's also stolen four bases and has committed just one error in 24 games.

In addition, redshirt junior Justin Snyder (Georgetown, Mass.) was named an NEC Prime Performer on Monday. Snyder made two appearances last week and tossed four scoreless innings in the process. He allowed just two hits, walked one and struck out five of the 15 batters he faced. Snyder tossed two scoreless and hitless innings against Brown before added two more scoreless innings in the second game against Mount.

The Bulldogs begin a stretch of 10-straight road games with a Wednesday afternoon matchup with Rhode Island. Bryant will then travel to league-leading LIU Brooklyn for a four-game series this weekend.